Naslov
Glass beads from the archaeological site of Burnum (Amfiteatar, Campus)

Autori
Jadrić Kučan

Izvornik
Archaeopress Roman Archaeology (2059-4674) 94 (2022); 331-368

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Burnum, Dalmatia, beads, Medusa, Roman army.

Sažetak
Recovered examples from Burnum exhibit great diversity of forms and ornaments. On the basis of the context of finds they are dated mostly to the first half of the 1st century and they originate from all important workshop centers at the time: the Egyptian circle (Alexandria), Syro-Palestinian circle (Sidon), northern Italy (Aquileia). Their significant number in the area of Burnum (74 pieces) suggests that beads had an important decorative or apotropaic function even at the military sites. This refers in particular to the melon beads made of frit that were worn as amulets because of their intensive light blue colour. A number of these beads were found in the Roman legionary camps indicating they were a popular decorative/status symbol of Roman soldiers. Further on they were found in necklaces around horse’s necks suggesting that some of them might have been used as ornaments on horse harness. Although glass was getting cheaper from the Hellenistic period, and thereby more accessible to different social classes, glass beads were still fashionable artifacts among well-to-do people. Wide range of sizes and colours of beads suggests how popular they were among the Roman soldiers. Beads with elaborate mosaic decoration were particularly expensive and therefore rare, in other words they were inaccessible to ‘regular’ soldiers as attested by the polychrome flat discoid mosaic bead with a depiction of the face of Medusa or Gorgon, mythological creature from Greek mythology warding off evil. Therefore it was a popular motif on Roman amulets and beads giving them special apotropaic qualities. Although there are many open questions regarding beads, mentioned conclusions indicate that the study of this interesting category of archaeological finds can result in a completely different image of everyday life of a Roman soldier in the Roman province of Dalmatia.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Arheologija

POVEZANOST RADA